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Opinion: The Progressive's Guide to Do More than Vote

Friday, October 26, 2012 - 10:29 AM

It's hard to believe it was only a month ago that Samuel L. Jackson needed to remind Obama supporters to "Wake the Eff Up!" Obama and Biden's post-convention bounce had given them their largest lead in months; Romney and Ryan's convention was a flop; and many Democrats were thinking more about Halloween costumes that get-out-the-vote (GOTV) plans.

Then the first debate gave Republicans a boost, and - as often happens in a campaign's endgame - the race tightened. While the race is close, Romney isn't surging and yet media stories about his "momentum" make progressives nervous. Even the negative news cycles of Donald Trump and Richard Mourdock are only so much comfort for those fearful of Tea Party triumphs.

Progressives now remember their vote will matter (a recent Obama video hit home the point about every vote counting), and the president's campaign has been pushing early voting as a way to avoid lines and technical malfunctions -- with the candidate himself becoming the first president to cast a vote early. And for liberals who want to send a message of frustration with the administration, early votes are being cast for Jill Stein, Rocky Anderson and other presidential candidates as well.

Voting is one step - and not the only step. If you want to influence this election, of course you should cast a ballot - but whether you have 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 dollars or every hour between now and November 6th, you can Do More Than Vote.

(NB: Over the past four presidential and midterm elections, I have been part of an initiative called "Do More Than Vote," a directory to find opportunities that meet your interests and availability that has not been associated with any party, candidate or organization.)

If you have five minutes…

- You can commit to voting and confirm information on where, when and how to cast your ballot

- You can find the most compelling political videos on the web - arranged by issue, district and candidate - and share the strongest with your friends

- You can show your support on progressive causes other than election through effective, online actions

If you have 30 minutes…

- Sign up for a "Friends and Neighbors" program that will help you connect to people in your own network about the election

- Create your own ballot to share your preferences with friends, and learn more about candidates up-and-down the ticket ()

If you're not living in Ohio, you might feel your vote isn't valued as much. But wherever you are and however much time you have, you can do more than vote.

Plus, while everyone only gets one vote, you can do more with your vote. In safe states, look into minor party candidates: the Green Party and Justice Party are willing to take stances the Democrats are too timid to embrace. In states with fusion voting, learn about progressive third parties such as the Working Families Party of New York. Then your vote won't only be supporting candidates, but supporting changes in our larger political system.

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Justin Krebs is a political organizer and writer based in New York City. He is the founder of Living Liberally, a nationwide network of 250 local clubs that create social events around progressive politics, and author of "538 Ways to Live, Work and Play Like a Liberal."

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